BLOGS of pro basketball players overseas
Behind the backboard: the truth about life overseas

There are currently 6778 ex-college players, who play 2017-18 season overseas*the number is for both men and women players, who play outside of the U.S. (updated on 3/15/2018) Check Detailed list by College or by country

Hello World...Kosvo basketball is getting better..Sigal Pristina has entered in the Balkan league starting in November....Next we Bashkimi came up with a huge victory last Night on the Road against Trepca..Led by our Big Man Dustin Mitchell who had a huge Game... This put us in 3rd place.... Other than that is starting to get real Cold in Prizren... This is my 2nd blog in Kosovo I will try to keep every one updated in the States..

#1. This week's number one is an experienced international forward Justin Doellman (205-85, agency: BeoBasket, college: Xavier, currently plays in EuroCup). Doellman could not help Buducnost (4-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance the second-placed Buducnost (4-2) was defeated 78-71 at home by the leading Darussafaka in the group G of Eurocup.
Doellman scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
This season Doellman averages: 7.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 57.1%.
He is a naturalized American.
Doellman is currently a member of the Kosovan senior national team. Strangely he has never played in Kosovo.

#2. Second place goes to an international power forward Shawn Jones (203-92, college: Middle Tenn.St., currently plays in FIBA Europe Cup). Jones was not able to help Banco di Srd in their game against Le Portel (7-1) in the FIBA Europe Cup, despite his very good performance on Wednesday night.
He scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 22 minutes.
But Banco di Srd was badly defeated 100-81 on the road by the leading Le Portel.
The Top 16 already ended in the FIBA Europe Cup.
It's Jones' first season with the team.
This year Jones' overall stats are: 9.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2FGP: 53.8% in two games he played so far.
He is a naturalized American.
Jones is in the roster of the Kosovan senior national team. Apparently he has never played in Kosovo.

#3. The Kosovan player who performed third best last week abroad was an international swingman Scott Bamforth (188-89, also represented by BeoBasket, college: Weber St., currently plays in FIBA Europe Cup) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shawn Jones and both played together in the last FIBA Europe Cup game.
Bamforth. He was not able to secure a victory for Banco di Srd (0-1) in their game against Le Portel (7-1). Despite his very good performance in Wednesday night's game Bamforth was the top scorer with 16 points. He also added 3 passes.
Bamforth has relatively good stats this season: 12.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 4.0apg, 2FGP: 14.3%, 3FGP: 54.5% and FT: 62.5%.
He is a naturalized American.
Bamforth is also a member of the Kosovan senior national team. Interesting that he has never played in Kosovo.

#4. Shooting guard Erjon Kastrati (198-94, currently plays in Slovenia) contributed to a 2-point Olimpija's victory against the fifth-ranked Tajfun (1-1) 89-87 in the Slovenian Liga Nova KBM last Wednesday.
Kastrati scored 7 points and added 6 passes in 33 minutes.
Petrol Olimpija Ljubljana (2-0) is placed first in Places 1-8 group.
This year Kastrati's total stats are: 5.9ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.2apg in 12 games.
He has a dual citizenship: Kosovan and Albanian.
Kastrati is also Kosovan national team player.

#5. International power forward Gezim Morina (204-92, currently plays in Slovenia) contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Sencur Gorenjska gradbena druzba Kranj (0-2) 85-69 in the Slovenian Liga Nova KBM on Sunday night.
He scored 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Sixt Primorska (1-1) is placed third in Places 1-8 group.
Morina has averaged so far 4.8ppg and 2.0rpg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Kosovan and Slovenian.
Morina plays currently for the Kosovan national team.

#6. Guard Fahri Breca (190-85, agency: Court Side, currently plays in Germany) led Recklinghausen to an easy victory against the 12th-ranked Kamp-Lintfort (4-19) 92-73 in the German Regionalliga (fourth division) in Saturday night's game.
He scored 15 points, had 7 rebounds and dished 6 assists (went 6 for 6 at the free throw line) in 30 minutes.
Citybasket Recklinghausen (14-9) is placed sixth in West group.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
This year Breca has relatively solid stats: 13.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.6apg and 1.6spg in 23 games.
He is a former international player as he played for the Kosovan senior team two years ago.

#7. International guard Mirza Ahmetbasic (193-87, college: Abil.Christian, currently plays in Bosnia) couldn't help Bosnjak in their game against Spars Sarajevo in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I. Despite his very good performance last Friday Ahmetbasic was the second best scorer with 16 points. He also added 4 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 4 balls.
Ahmetbasic has reliable stats this season: 12.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.9apg and 1.7spg.
He is also Kosovan national team player.

#8. Center Gazmend Sinani (205-91, currently plays in United Kingdom) couldn't help Leeds Force (1-22) in their game against Worcester Wolves (14-9) in the British BBL, despite his very good performance on Friday night.
Sinani was the second best scorer with 16 points. He also added 9 rebounds and made 2 blocks (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line) in 27 minutes.
But the bottom-ranked Leeds Force was crushed 100-69 in Worcester by the much higher-ranked (#4) Wolves.
It was Leeds Force's 17th consecutive loss in a row.
Sinani has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 11.2rpg and 1.6apg in five games.
Sinani plays currently for the Kosovan national team.

#9. U18 international guard Dino Herc (190-99, currently plays in Sweden) managed to help Hogsbo Basket Goteborg in a victory against the eighth-ranked Malbas (5-15) crushing them 93-54 in the Swedish Superettan (second division) last Sunday.
He scored 5 points in 16 minutes.
Hogsbo Basket Goteborg (8-1) is placed third in the Superettan.
Herc has averaged so far 1.4ppg and 1.4rpg in 11 games.
He is also in the roster of the Kosovan U18 national team.

#10. Small forward Ulug Kacaniku (202-85, currently plays in Turkey) couldn't help Samsun (5-22) in their game against Duzce Belediye (12-15) in the Turkish TBL (second division).
Kacaniku scored 7 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
The bottom-ranked Samsun was edged 70-67 in Duzce by the higher-ranked Belediye (#12).
It was Samsun's sixth consecutive loss in a row.
Kacaniku's stats this season are: 10.8ppg, 6.0rpg and 2.3apg.
He is a former international player as two years ago he still played for the Kosovan senior national team.

The list of other players, who all have Kosovan passport but never been selected to any of Kosovan national teams:

#1.Kenan Sipahi (197-PG-95, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). He could not help Besiktas (10-4) to beat BBC Bayreuth (8-6).
Sipahi recorded 7 points and had 5 steals in 24 minutes.
Besiktas lost 76-81 on the road to the higher-ranked (#44) BBC Bayreuth.
It was Besiktas' first loss after three consecutive victories.
This year Sipahi averages: 6.4ppg, 2.5rpg and 2.5apg in 16 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Kosovan and Turkish.

#2.Gerti Shima (203-PF-86, currently plays in Balkan League) was the major contributor in a SK Tirana's victory against the league outsider Ibar Rozaje (1-11) crushing them 95-65 in the Balkan League in Tuesday night's game.
He recorded a triple-double by scoring 16 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and passing 11 assists.
Sport Klub Tirana (3-8) is placed second from the bottom (#6) in the Balkan League.
It was SK Tirana's first victory after six consecutive loses.
There are only two games left until the end of the Balkan League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Shima has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 16.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 4.9apg and 1.5spg.
Shima is another player who holds two passports: Kosovan and Albanian.

We bring you last week's top performances from Kosovans who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level. This week's number one is an international power forward Shawn Jones (203-92). He could not help Banco di Srd (10-10) in their last game. Despite Jones' very good performance Banco di Srd was crushed 116-93 on the road by the second-ranked Armani Milano.
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SHAWN JONES

We bring you last week's top performances from Kosovans who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

#1. This week's number one is an international power forward Shawn Jones (203-92, college: Middle Tenn.St., currently plays in Italy). He could not help Banco di Srd (10-10) in their last game. Despite Jones' very good performance Banco di Srd was crushed 116-93 on the road by the second-ranked Armani Milano.
He scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 24 minutes on the court.
It's Jones' first season with the team.
Jones has relatively good stats this year: 10.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 2FGP: 58.1%(90-155) in 20 games he played so far.
He is a naturalized American.
Jones is currently a member of the Kosovan senior national team. Strangely he has never played in Kosovo.

#2. Second place goes to an international swingman Scott Bamforth (188-89, agency: BeoBasket, college: Weber St., currently plays in Italy) is a teammate of previously mentioned Shawn Jones and both played together in the last Italian Serie A game.
Bamforth. He was not able to help Banco di Srd (10-10) in their last game. Despite Bamforth's good performance Banco di Srd was crushed 116-93 in Milano by the second-ranked Armani.
He scored 13 points and added 4 passes in 26 minutes.
Bamforth has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.9apg, 2FGP: 45.0%, 3FGP: 41.5% and FT: 84.1% in 19 games.
Bamforth is a naturalized American.
He is in the roster of the Kosovan senior national team. Apparently Bamforth has never played in Kosovo.

#3. The Kosovan player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced international forward Justin Doellman (205-85, also represented by BeoBasket, college: Xavier, currently plays in ABA League). He was not able to secure a victory for Buducnost (16-5) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Doellman's good performance Buducnost was defeated 94-83 in Beograd by the lower-ranked Partizan (#5).
He scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Doellman's team will play only one more game in the ABA League Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
Doellman's overall stats this season are: 7.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 3FGP: 53.3%(8-15) and FT: 66.7%.
He is a naturalized American.
Doellman is also a member of the Kosovan senior national team. Interesting that he has never played in Kosovo.

#4. Guard Bardhosh Kelmeni (195-98, currently plays in Sweden) led Malbas to a victory against the league outsider LF Future (2-19) 103-93 in the Swedish Superettan (second division) last Sunday.
Kelmeni had a double-double by scoring 25 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 3 assists in 44 minutes.
Malbas Malmo (5-14) is placed seventh in the Superettan.
They ended the series of four consecutive loses.
This year Kelmeni has relatively solid stats: 10.1ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg and 1.2spg in 19 games.
He is also Kosovan U20 national team player.

#5. International shooting guard Erjon Kastrati (198-94, currently plays in ABA League) contributed to Olimpija's victory against the closely-ranked FMP (9-12) 86-81 in the ABA League on Saturday night.
Kastrati scored 8 points.
Petrol Olimpija Ljubljana (9-12) is placed seventh in the ABA League.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the ABA League Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial.
Kastrati's overall stats this season are: 3.6ppg and 1.8rpg.
He has a dual citizenship: Kosovan and Albanian.
Kastrati plays currently for the Kosovan national team.

#6. Point guard Elio Sadiku (186-91, currently plays in France) led Saint Vallier to a victory over the eighth-ranked Lorient (12-12) 77-73 in the French NM1 (third division) in Friday night's game.
He was MVP of the game. Sadiku scored 24 points and had 4 steals in 21 minutes.
Saint Vallier Basket Drome (20-4) is placed second in the NM1.
This year Sadiku's overall stats are: 6.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.9apg in 14 games.
Despite he played previously for the French U18 national team, Sadiku is also a former international player as he played for the Kosovan senior team two years ago.

#7. Former international guard Fahri Breca (190-85, agency: Court Side, currently plays in Germany) was the main contributor in Recklinghausen's victory against the 11th-ranked Hagen-Haspe (5-17) 91-81 in the German Regionalliga (fourth division) last Saturday.
He was the best player in that game. Breca scored 18 points and added 5 assists.
Citybasket Recklinghausen (13-9) is placed sixth in West group.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
Breca has reliable stats this season: 12.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.5apg and 1.6spg.
He used to play for the Kosovan national team
two years ago.

#8. Forward Nadi Beciri (201, currently plays college basketball in the States) managed to help Fairleigh Dickinson University in a victory against the St. Francis University (PA) (12-6) 84-75 in the NCAA on Thursday night.
Beciri recorded only 3 points in 2 minutes on the court.
The Fairleigh Dickinson University has 9-9 conference record this season.
The Regular Season already ended in the NCAA.
This year Beciri's total stats are: 1.5ppg and 1.7rpg in 27 games.
He is a naturalized American.
Beciri used to play for the Kosovan national team
back in 2016. However he has never played in Kosovo.

#9. Former international small forward Ulug Kacaniku (202-85, currently plays in Turkey) couldn't help Samsun (5-20) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Kacaniku's good performance Samsun was defeated 77-70 on the opponent's court by the much higher-ranked Antalyaspor (#5).
He was the second best scorer with 12 points. Kacaniku also added 5 rebounds.
Kacaniku averaged so far 11.0ppg, 5.9rpg and 2.3apg.
He used to play for the Kosovan national team
two years ago.

One more player who has never been selected to any of national teams, but has Kosovan passport:

#1.Kenan Sipahi (197-PG-95, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). Sipahi could not help Besiktas (10-4) to beat BBC Bayreuth (8-6).
He recorded 7 points and had 5 steals.
Besiktas was defeated 81-76 on the road by the higher-ranked BBC Bayreuth (#44).
It was Besiktas' first loss after three consecutive victories.
This season Sipahi averages: 6.8ppg, 2.7rpg and 2.4apg.
He has a dual citizenship: Kosovan and Turkish.

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Kosovan players, who play currently abroad. This week's number one is an international shooting guard Dardan Berisha (191-88). He was the major contributor in a CEZ Nymburk's victory against the third-ranked BK Lions Hradec in the Czech Republic NBL in Wednesday night's game.
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DARDAN BERISHA

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Kosovan players, who play currently abroad.

#1. This week's number one is an international shooting guard Dardan Berisha (191-88, currently plays in Czech Republic). He was the major contributor in a CEZ Nymburk's victory against the third-ranked BK Lions Hradec (1-21) crushing them 117-75 in the Czech Republic NBL in Wednesday night's game.
Berisha recorded 16 points and had 5 steals in a mere 17 minutes on the court.
CEZ Basketball Nymburk (22-0) is placed fifth in Places 1-6 group.
So far his team won all twenty two games in the Regular Season.
It's Berisha's first season with the team.
He has relatively good stats this year: 12.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.9apg, 1.9spg, 2FGP: 59.2%(29-49), 3FGP: 45.3%(39-86) and FT: 90.9% in 15 games he played so far.
Berisha has a dual citizenship: Polish and Kosovan.
Ex-KB Peja player is currently a member of the Kosovan senior national team.

#2. Second place goes to an international center Gazmend Sinani (205-91, currently plays in United Kingdom). He could not help Leeds Force (1-20) in their last game on Friday. Despite Sinani's very good performance the bottom-ranked Leeds Force was crushed 107-79 at home by the much higher-ranked Sheffield Sharks (#4).
He recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 19 rebounds.
Sinani has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 45.2%, 3FGP: 11.1% and FT: 43.8%.
Sinani is in the roster of the Kosovan senior national team.

#3. The Kosovan player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former international guard Fahri Breca (190-85, agency: Court Side, currently plays in Germany). He contributed to Recklinghausen's victory against the ninth-ranked Salzkotten (8-12) 81-69 in the German Regionalliga (fourth division) on Saturday night.
Breca scored 10 points in 19 minutes.
Citybasket Recklinghausen (11-9) is placed seventh in West group.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This year Breca has relatively solid stats: 12.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 46.1%, 3FGP: 28.2% and FT: 63.0% in 20 games.
He is another player who holds two passports: Kosovan and German.
Breca played for the Kosovan national team two years ago.

#4. Forward Nadi Beciri (201, currently plays college basketball in the States) was not able to help the Fair Dickinson in their game against the St. Francis College (NY) (7-7) in the NCAA. His contribution was not very remarkable in Sunday's game.
Beciri scored only 2 points.
his team was defeated 87-74 on their home court in Madison by the St. Francis College (NY).
There are only two games left until the end of the NCAA Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
Beciri's overall stats this season are: 1.6ppg and 1.7rpg.
He is a naturalized American.
Beciri used to play for the Kosovan national team
back in 2016. Strangely he has never played in Kosovo.

#5. Former international small forward Ulug Kacaniku (202-85, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Samsun (5-18) in their last game. Despite Kacaniku's very good performance Samsun was crushed 79-56 on the road by the much higher-ranked (#7) Bandirma Kirmizi.
He was the top scorer with 15 points. Kacaniku also added 7 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 35 minutes.
Kacaniku has reliable stats this year: 10.6ppg, 5.8rpg and 2.2apg in 21 games.
He has both Kosovan and Turkish nationalities.
Kacaniku used to play for the Kosovan national team
two years ago.

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